Anutin orders charity checks

The government is stepping up scrutiny of foundations nationwide after allegations that donations to the Goodness Foundation were misused, with the Interior Ministry ordering closer checks, particularly on those led by celebrities.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also interior minister, said on Friday that he had instructed the Department of Provincial Administration (Dopa) to examine foundations and take legal action against anyone found using donations for personal gain or setting up a foundation as a front for other activities.

"I'm confident that regulations and penalties are already in place for those who abuse the status of a foundation or fail to comply with its objectives," he said.

On Thursday, the Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Panadda "Boom" Wongphudee and her husband, Athip "Got" Anantawan.

She is accused of public fraud, money laundering and violations of the Computer Crime Act, while her husband faces a charge of jointly committing money laundering.

The warrants followed an Economic Crime Suppression Division investigation into the foundation's financial transactions, which had earlier led to the seizure and freezing of assets belonging to Panadda and people close to her, including family members.

The prime minister denied any political involvement when asked about a chat message in which Panadda apologised and claimed the matter was politically motivated.

"The accused have the right to explain their position and defend themselves against the allegations, and the government would ensure fairness for all parties," he said.

Interior permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat said Dopa had lodged a complaint with Nang Loeng police alleging the foundation solicited donations for flood victims without permission under the 1944 Solicitation Control Act.

The department said the foundation's social media posts appealed for flood-relief donations to a Kasikornbank account, but there was no record of a permit application being made or approval given.

He said the foundation has until Tuesday to submit its accounts, and its board members, not one person alone, were responsible for meeting reporting requirements.

"As for the individual in question, it will depend on the investigation process to determine whether the reports that [she] used foundation funds for personal purposes are true," said Mr Unsit.

Police will trace financial transactions to determine who was involved in the alleged offences, he said, adding that foundations operating within the law would have nothing to fear.